Announcement:A coalition of prominent community organizations, labor groups, faith groups, and activists are announcing plans for a mass rally at 12:30pm on Sunday, June 4th in front of City Hall. In response to recent hate crimes and an emboldening of far-right forces, we the undersigned are calling for a city-wide mobilization to refuse bigotry and hatred in Portland.

Statement of Unity:On Friday, May 26, right-wing extremist Jeremy Christian attacked and killed two men and wounded another for daring to challenge his racist, Islamophobic attack on two young women. This was not an isolated event. Rather, it represents an emboldening of the Far Right across this country, whose growth has been facilitated by an openly racist, misogynist, bigoted administration in the White House.

In honor of these heroic victims, in solidarity with immigrant and Muslim communities, and in recognition of the long history of racism faced by people of color in this city, the undersigned groups are calling on Portland residents to assemble for a peaceful, mass rally in front of City Hall on Sunday, June 4th from 12:30 pm – 4pm.

The killer is a known white nationalist who has attended recent events hosted by local Far Right organizations. These same groups have organized a “free speech rally” on June 4th at Terry Schrunk Plaza. Their plan is to instill fear and spread messages of hatred to Portland’s oppressed and marginalized communities, and it will not be tolerated.

Members of this Coalition are committed the principle of solidarity: A threat to one of our communities is a threat to ALL of our communities. We believe now is the time to show these bigots, this country, and the world that Portland stands united against this hate. We must reclaim our city and repudiate the violence and hatred of the far-right and the larger political views it represents.

Logistics and Security:We seek to mobilize the greatest number of people in front of City Hall; which is separate from, but adjacent to, the so-called ‘Free Speech’ rally at Terry Schrunk Plaza starting at 2pm. Ours will be a peaceful event to demonstrate with our numbers and our voices, that the vast majority of Portland stands united against their message of racism and bigotry.

We soberly recognize that extremist forces represent a real threat; particularly to the oppressed and vulnerable communities represented by many coalition members. However, history has taught us that an emboldened and growing far-right presents a danger to all of us that we cannot risk ignoring.

We are taking all possible steps to ensure this rally is safe for those who attend. The event has been permitted. The Mayor’s office has confirmed that the police will not wade into our rally, but will form a buffer between our group and that of the far-right to prevent physical confrontation. The Coalition has also formed its own Peacekeeping taskforce. Our collective strength lies in numbers. We hope you will join us.

Quotes:“Jews know that when right wing hate targets one community, all communities are threatened. Jewish Voice for Peace lifts up the heroic actions of the three young men who stood up to protect two young women from racist incitement on the MAX and expresses its unequivocal solidarity with the Muslim community and all other communities that have been subjected to escalated attacks since the November 2016 election.”-Joel Beinin, Jewish Voice for Peace, Donald J. McLachlan Professor of Middle East History, Stanford University

“We are witnessing the growth of an emboldened and violent far-right across this country. The entire political establishment, above all the Trump administration, bear responsibility. ICE Raids, Muslim Bans, hyped up nationalist rhetoric, and years of increasing social and economic inequality. These are the recipes for what we are witnessing today. But we are also seeing solidarity and courage in the face of this racism, the heroes in Portland who stood up to a bigoted vigilante, the thousands who are rallying around the country to stand against hate. This is where our hope lies.”-Wael Elasady, International Socialist Organization, Co-founder of Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights

We’ve been facing this culture of hate and bigotry for too long, and is getting worst since the last presidential election which allowed hate groups to use it as free speech and act violently on it, we cannot accept it! It cannot become the norm. We most organize, mobilize and unite to build a culture of inclusiveness and justice.- Marco Mejia, Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC)

"CAIR's mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. We are proud to endorse and stand with a coalition of organizations and groups in an expression of peace, and refuse the emboldening of bigotry and hatred in our city of Portland."-Seemab Hussaini, Ad-Hoc Committee of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Oregon)

The eclectic music style of Dang Show comes from the creative combination of classical Persian poetry and saxophone, piano, and percussion. Dang Show approaches Eastern music from a new perspective, assuming that while the music of the East is deeply emotional and rooted in Eastern ideologies and life styles, it can be expressed with traditionally Western instruments. Dang Show uses this key to open the hearts of people around the world and share these emotional expressions with them.

The name Dang Show ("Give up your Wisdom") for this 5 person Jazz band has been borrowed from one of Rumi's poems. Many Iranian music critiques believe that Dang Show's influence on Iranian music is as strong as the impact of Fikrat Amirov on the music of Azerbaijan, and Astor Piazzolla in Argentina. Among intellectual circles in Iran, Dang Show have received unprecedented levels of praise, including from artistic luminaries such as award winning film director Abbas Kiarostami and renowned painter and author Aydin Aghdashloo. The latter lends his legendary voice to a recital of Rumi poems, featured on one of the tracks of Dang Show's latest CD “Shiraz 40 Years Old”.

Dang Show has performed numerous times in Iran and in other countries to sold-out audiences. Their repertoire includes five events in celebration of the 800th anniversary of mystical Persian poet Rumi in Bangkok and the occasion of 80th birthday of HM the King of Thailand. They have also performed at the International Winter Festival in Sarajevo and received overwhelming praise from the media. Dang Show has also composed and recorded soundtracks for over 10 major Iranian movie releases.

Tickets are $25.00 in advance, $30.00 at the door. In addition to Brown Paper Tickets, there are tickets available at Persian stores: Art of Persia, Rose Market, Mediterranean Market and Pars Market.Limited number of $20.00 students ticket are available through Iranian Students at PSU (ISAP), please email them directly at isap@pdx.edu

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Evil Doers Ltd; A Laughter Roundup from the Middle East.- Nov 7, 2008

These are the Comedy performers we are hosting this coming November 7th at PCPA.Comedian and Arab American Dean Obeidallah put it best when he said, "The problem is that people are afraid of us because they don't really know who we are. There are basically two news stories about us...There is the bad story where we are described as militant gunman or terrorist, or the good story where we are described as alleged militant gunman or terrorist."

Citizen Jimmy:Click here!Jimmy Dore was born into a Catholic family of twelve in a very blue-collar neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. Tagged a rebel for occasionally reading a book and thinking for himself, Jimmy quickly turned to comedy to ease the pain of the beatings.

In 1995, Jimmy moved to Los Angeles to get on television and it actually worked. He has appeared on every major network multiple times. The high point of Jimmy's stand-up career came when he taped his own one hour Special for Comedy Central Jimmy Dore: Citizen Jimmy. The special which was taped at The Filmore in San Francisco is set to air Friday August 1, 2008.

Jimmy played the hilarious neighbor on AMC’s Movies at My House. And was invited to perform at the 2003 HBO’s US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado. The Hollywood Reporter said Jimmy was among the five comics at the festival that generated the most "buzz" (whatever the fuck that means).

Jimmy is also a writer/performer for the critically acclaimed Off Broadway hit, The Marijuana-logues, which is currently running at the Actor's Playhouse in New York. It was a role Jimmy first played at the Melbourne Comedy festival in April of 2003.

He first appeared on Comedy Central’s Make Me Laugh, fulfilling a life long dream of turning an art form into a cheesy, basic-cable game show. Unfortunately it went well and he was booked to do four more, an experience that Jimmy warmly refers to as “embarrassing” and " tough to watch". Then, in 1997, he was invited to Montreal, Canada to perform at the Just for Laughs international comedy festival. He caught the eye of NBC talent scouts and producers (Okay, it was only one guy, but he was impressed enough for three) and was given a spot on NBC’s Friday Night! He quickly became a show favorite (true) and was signed to make five return appearances.

From there Jimmy has gone on to make multiple stand-out appearances on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn and two winning performances on NBC’s Late Friday (winning performance, how do you like that adjective?). Then Jimmy flew to New York and donned a suit to appear on Comedy Centrals Premium Blend. He’s done a bunch of other stuff that you can see on his resume, including hosting Pilot's for Comedy Central and AMC.

But Jimmy says all the hard work was worth it if for nothing else to see his mother’s face the first time she ever came to see him perform. It was at the MGM in Las Vegas, and Jimmy had just stepped off stage when his mother whispered in his ear, “Well I’ll say one thing, I sure am hungry”. Damn right she was. Damn right.

Ahmed Ahmed Born in Helwan, Egypt June 27th, 1970. Parents immigrated to the US when he was one month old and grew up in Riverside, CA. Moved to Hollywood when he was 19 years old to pursue a career as an actor and stand up comedian. Attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts for one year and studied with various acting coaches such as Cliff Osmond, Ivana Chubbuck and Sandy Marshall.

Seen in such films and television shows as Iron Man, You Don't Mess With The Zohan, Swingers, Tracey Takes On, Roseanne, JAG, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn on Comedy Central and MTV's PUNK'D. Also appeared on CNN, The View, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and NPR. Was featured on the front page of The Wall Street Journal in December of 2001 and featured in Newsweek Magazine. Will be seen in the upcoming ONION MOVIE for FOX Searchlight. Currently can be seen on the Fahrenheit 9/11 DVD bonus track performing stand up comedy.

A paid regular performer at The World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood and tours all across America and Europe. Winner of the first annual Richard Pryor Award for ethnic comedy at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in Scotland summer of 2004.

Wrote an original screenplay titled "The Pilgrimage" based on his Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca). He also co-wrote the script "Google Me" with comedian Erik Griffin.

Tissa Hami:Tissa Hami is one of the world's few female Muslim stand-up comics. Her unique act and fresh perspective on life as an Iranian-American woman leave audiences in shock and awe. From Islamic fundamentalists to white liberals to good old-fashioned racists, no one is safe from her sharp wit. Tissa hopes her comedy will help break down stereotypes about Muslim women and foster understanding between Iranians and Americans.

Tissa grew up in a traditional Iranian family in a predominantly white suburb of Boston. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in international affairs from Ivy League universities. Her parents are thrilled that she is using her expensive education to pursue a career in comedy.

People who disapprove of her act will be taken hostage.

Tissa performed for 10,000 people at First Night Boston 2005. She has been featured in the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, Washington Post, and Chicago Tribune, as well as on BBC radio and Australian and European television. In the US, Tissa has appeared on ABC's The View, the Hallmark Channel, and NPR. Her radio interview on Commonwealth Journal was awarded first place in the Public Affairs category for 2004 by the Associated Press of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Tissa is one of five comedians featured in the documentary, Stand Up: Muslim American Comics Come of Age. The film, which won a prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Award, aired on PBS in May 2008.

Dan Ahdoot:Dan went to college at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University and graduated with honors as a premed student. Shortly thereafter, he decided to take the secure route and ditch medicine for comedy - his parents are still thrilled. After graduating, Dan moved to New York City where he was instantly hailed as one of the hottest young comics on the scene. He performs regularly at every comedy club in Manhattan, and is a founding member of the highly acclaimed Upright Citizens Brigade based improv troupe, Gun Show.Dan's standup act is based on his hilarious observations about everyday life as a young, hip kid living in New York City, coupled with his upbringing as a 1st generation American. His stage-presence blends charm, likeabilty, and wit in a way that keeps crowds in stitches and at the same time, very comfortable.Dan was a finalist on Season 2 of NBCs Last Comic Standing. He is a staff writer on MTV’s Short Circuits, a new sketch comedy show featuring Nick Cannon. He has written for Comedy Central's Crank Yankers and was featured on Comedy Central's Premium Blend. He has opened for Lewis Black, Jay Mohr, and Patton Oswalt. He has been featured on ABCs 20/20, the 98.7 KISS FM Morning Comedy Special, and he is a regular on Jim Brueur's radio show Unleashed, on Sirius Satellite. He was awarded 1st prize at the Philadelphia Comedy Competition in 2003, the NYC Triad Comedy Competition in 2002. In addition, Dan is one of the highest book college acts in the country - performing well over 100 shows in 2007. He also performs at corporate events for a variety of companies and organizations.

Negin Farsad:Making her parents' plea for immigration all the easier, Negin was born in the United States (New Haven, Connecticut) and grew up in the desert of Southern California. She first obtained a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts and Government from Cornell University. Her dual interest in the arts and politics continued when she moved to New York City – writing and performing comedy by night while studying for a Masters degree in Race Relations at Columbia University by day. She followed that degree with a second Masters from Columbia at the School of International & Public Affairs with a focus on Urban Management. She worked as a senior policy advisor with the City of New York but eventually left for full-time uncertainty in the world of performing and visual arts.

Negin is director and executive producer of the upcoming feature film release, Nerdcore Rising, The film, which premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival, is called "hilarious & delightful" by Salon and "a laugh riot from the first scene" by the Boston Herald. She is also currently produced, directed and performing in the Comedy Central web series and TV pilot, The Watch List – the first show in the history of television to feature Middle-Eastern-American comics tackling international political issues. She originally earned her film chops as a producer and story editor on the film A Cricket in the Court of Akbar which was shot entirely on location in Rajasthan, India. She wrote, directed and appeared in the short film, Iran-ing on Empty - not at all shot on location in Iran - which has since been a selection of comedy festivals around the country (by which she means only two comedy festivals, both on the Eastern seaboard).

As a standup comedian she has opened for the likes of Al Franken in venues ranging from the Laugh Factory in New York, the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, and Town Hall on Broadway. Negin has provided original comedy content for Pacifica and Sirius Radio stations. As an active comedian she has earned a nomination for the Emerging Comics of New York Awards. Her solo show Bootleg Islam, which she wrote and performed, has appeared in the DC, Dallas, and Chicago Comedy Festivals among others. Her work has been called "smart, funny, and fascinating" by the Wall Street Journal, a Critic's Choice by the Chicago Tribune, "a shining exception," by the Dallas Morning News, and Backstage cheered that it "doesn't get much funnier than this!" And, to her parents chagrin, her masters degrees now collect dust…